The National tribune., 1887-04-21

BY LIEUT.. 3. =. BrNNErr. RICHMOND. M.

By LIEUT.. 3. y. BENNETT, RIcHMoSD Ill.
SIN lately hearing strange. new names applied 70
those who bore
Our country's flag to meet the foe from sixtyone 70
four,
And though the times are GURUS now, and mighty
changed since then
Idon'tsee where the right comes in to now throw
dirt at men
Who left their homes and all they loved for camp
and battlefield,
Till every traitor bit the dust OF else was made 70
yieIdl
tell you, son, in those sad times the country
needed Bsen,
And bounty jumpers want the name that people
called them thenl
THE hounds Of treason hunted then the very Ma
TONS life;
The rebel yell was echoing above the battles
strife;
The loyal women Of the North sent out their brav-
est. BEST
Upon the cruel battlefield to find a martyrs rest,
And, cheering them, such prayers and love, it's my
opinion, Heav'n
Had never heard or smiled upon as unto them was
giv'n!
tell you son, ia those sad times the country
needed men,
And 'coffee-coolers' wants the name that people
gave them thenf
The North, shamel had Copperheads, those
worse than Tory knaves
Full brothers to the ones who danced above our
fathers graves
When Washington and Marion. with many a noble
band,
| Were fighting to give freedom to our glorious
native land;
They raved and howled and in the rear did all the
harm they could,
But every patriot hated them and all their sneak
ing BROOD
I tell you, son, in those sad times the country
needed men,
And 'paupers' want the bitter name chat people
called them thenl
II don't forget your mothers tears when put on
the blue,
And pressed her to my aching heart and kissed
Nor how. through every perVs cloud the GLORY of
her face
shone on me, lit by memory. to give me heart Of
grace
To fight, that this dear land of ours might yet bs
free for her,
And left to you. my darling boy. her flag without
bluri
And do you think my son. that She when Freedop,
needed men,
Fer dreamed your sire would be reviled for what
he suffered thenI
AT Vicksburg and at DOnelsOn the shot and
screaming shell,
And deaf'ning boom of shotted guns made uproar
as of He'll
! And when again we marched away with Sherman
to the sea,
We spread to eyes unused to it the banner Of the
free,
While Grant was holding to hts grip, till Lee and
Richmond fell,
And glorys clarion voice rang out the victory to
teIlt
I swear to God. those victories were won by noble
men,
And snealks' deserters.' WANT the name the peo-
pie called them theni
'Pm growing old, and do not feel the blood leap
through my veins
As twenty years and more ago; and these rheu-
matte pains
That torture my once supple joints, and make my
walking slow.
Are legaeies of march and sleep in rain, and slees
and snowI
I've never asked the Goyment for a pension or for
land,
/ But always helped comrade, should he need q
helping hand;
Aad now to hear him bounded by a thankless
eravens cries.
I tell you, boy, Old Adam in my heart begins
to risei
IF those who howl the IouGest had been lighting
at the front,
Instead of hiring Drawer to bear the battles
brunt,
although Pm told our President was boldly in
the van,
By proxy of a substitute i've hundred dollar
manD
don't believe that it would please them very well
to hear
Themselves called 'paupers' and their plea just
answered with sneeri
tell you, boy, in wars dark hour the country
needed men,
And one thought of throwing dirt or sneering
at them thenl
should e'er soldier cross your path or Inger at
/ your door,
Remember all the suffering his faithful bosom
/ bore;
He may have been your fathers friend and COM
rade in the fight;
They may have tipped the same canteen, shared
one couch at night;
His bosom may have stopped the ball that sped 70
/ enter mine.
When loyalty not reviled, and bravery not a
| crme'I
| And when the ballots sacred sword is In your
| freeman's hand,
Remember him who saved TO you legacy SO
| grand!n